Application of a quaternary ammonium agent on surgical face masks before use for pre-decontamination of nosocomial infection-related bioaerosols

Abstract

Surgical face masks are commonly used by the general public in indoor environments. However, masks could be contaminated, resulting in secondary microbial infections when they act as touchable fomites. Therefore, we evaluated the ability and durability of a covalently bound antimicrobial surfactant coated onto mask surfaces before use to reduce the bacterial burden upon exposure to aerosols. With regard to bacteria that settled onto the mask surface, this antimicrobial product provided >99.3% efficiency for all three tested bacterial species. In addition, the antimicrobial ability of the coated mask maintained efficacy at least one week after coating. For bioaerosols that came into contact with the mask (10 3 CFU/m 3), the antimicrobial agent reduced the average colony rates by 91.8%, but the rates decreased with increased bioaerosol concentrations. Moreover, regardless of whether the coated mask was processed with the bioaerosol penetration test or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-certified sodium chloride aerosol test, the filtration performance of the surgical mask was not significantly altered. These results demonstrate that this antimicrobial product has a durable inhibitory activity for the reduction of bacterial burdens on masks.

The tuberculocidal activity of polyaniline and functionalised polyanilines

“…Two notable examples include silver-based facemasks and quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) based facemasks (Li et al, 2006; Tseng, Pan & Chang, 2016). The cell wall of M. tuberculosis is protective against penetration of silver nanoparticles into the cytoplasm as disruption with chloroform was required for inhibitory activity (Praba et al, 2013).…”

A comprehensive review on antimicrobial face masks: an emerging weapon in fighting pandemics

“…Spray technique is used to incorporate antimicrobial agents like QACs, uorochemicals, natural compounds onto the surface of face masks. 100,116,119,218 Fig. 10 shows the SEM image of a commercial three-layer mask spray-coated with QAC-based compound GS5.…”

“…The surfaces coated AMA are reported to be effective in deactivating/killing microorganisms and preventing the formation of biolms. The active moieties which impart the biocidal qualities include metal and metal oxides, 75,[84][85][86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94][95] quaternary ammonium or phosphonium groups, [96][97][98][99][100] antimicrobial polymers, [101][102][103][104][105][106][107] N-halamine compounds, [108][109][110][111][112] antimicrobial peptides, 105 and natural compounds, 82,[113][114][115][116][117][118][119][120][121] as depicted in Fig. 6.…”

Respiratory Protection against Pandemic and Epidemic Diseases

“…Chlorine compounds such as N-halamines and iodine-treated filters have been assessed against bacteria (Micrococcus luteus and Escherichia coli) [9]. In addition, surgical masks functionalized with silver nitrate nanoparticles or quaternary ammonium inactivated bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterococcus faecalis, and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively) by interaction with thiol groups (100% reduction in $48 h) and membrane permeability damage ($92% reduction in 1 h), respectively [10,11]. However, antimicrobial technologies based on silver/copper, reactive oxygen molecules, iodine, and titanium dioxide did not exhibit inactivation properties against MS2 virus [12].…”